Acknowledgement
We proudly acknowledge Victoria’s First Nations peoples and their ongoing strength in practising the world’s oldest living culture. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters on which we live and work, and pay our respect to their Elders past and present.
Victoria’s Aboriginal communities continue to strengthen and grow with the ongoing practice of language, lore and cultural knowledge. We recognise the contribution of Aboriginal people and communities to Victorian life and how this continues to enrich our society more broadly. We acknowledge the contributions of generations of Aboriginal leaders who have come before us, who have fought tirelessly for the rights of their people and communities.
We acknowledge Aboriginal self‑determination is a human right as enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and we commit to working towards a future of equality, justice and strength.
Finally, we acknowledge that there are long-lasting, far‑reaching and intergenerational consequences of colonisation and
dispossession. The reality of colonisation involved the establishment of Victoria with the specific intent of excluding Aboriginal people and their laws, culture, customs and traditions.
Over time, the development of Victorian laws, policies, systems and structures explicitly excluded Aboriginal Victorians, resulting in and entrenching systemic and structural racism. We acknowledge that the impact and structures of colonisation still exist today.
Despite the past and present impacts of colonisation, Aboriginal people, families and communities remain strong and resilient.
Language statement
We recognise the diversity of Aboriginal people living throughout Victoria. Whilst the terms ‘Koorie’ or ‘Koori’ are ommonly used to describe Aboriginal people of southeast Australia, we have used the term ‘Aboriginal’ to include all people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who are living in Victoria.
The use of the words ‘our’ and ‘we’ throughout this document refers to the Victorian Government.
Artist statements
Mikaela Egan
I’m a proud Muthi Muthi/Gunditjmara woman.
I grew up in Mildura and have been living in Melbourne for ten years. I’m an artist/ photographer and Aboriginal health promotion officer. I have a great love for creating and capturing moments in time. I put passion and soul into all areas of my work and I love working in my community to help create healthier lives for our mob. I believe that we can truly set an example by being the change we wish to see in order to achieve better outcomes for our people.
My philosophy in life is to create change and evoke healing in our own lives and communities in order to move forward and live our best possible lives with the resources that we have.
As a creative I am able to express myself and my culture through different art forms and I am truly blessed to be able to openly share that with not only the Aboriginal community but all Australians.
Hollie Johnson
I am a proud Gunai Kurnai and Monero Ngarigo woman currently living in Gippsland, Victoria. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to learn about my culture and traditions from my grandparents who I admire and respect deeply. I graduated from RMIT with a Bachelor of Arts Photography in 2016, and am currently the Program Manager for AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience) Gippsland and freelance in my spare time.
I have done work for Parks New South Wales, Yirramboi Festival through the City of Melbourne, Latrobe City Council, among others. I was the first student to study the VCE Indigenous Languages of Victoria, and I continue to practise language with hopes to study linguistics and teaching in the future. I hope to combine my knowledge and skills to start up my own business that will support up‑and-coming Indigenous artists and people.
Joint Message from the Premier and the Minister for First Peoples
The Victorian Government is committed to working towards a stronger, fairer future for Aboriginal Victorians – led by, shaped by and driven by Aboriginal Victorians.
In 2018, the launch of the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework 2018-2023 (VAAF) underlined a change in the relationship between government and First Peoples in Victoria, guided by the principle of self-determination. The VAAF was shaped by extensive community engagement across the state in 2018 with the voices of First Peoples leading the way.
The VAAF set a clear direction to deliver better outcomes for and with Aboriginal Victorians. We remain committed to achieving the enduring goals contained in the VAAF, meeting and exceeding the National Agreement on Closing the Gap targets, and delivering practical solutions.
The Victorian Government is progressing Treaty alongside the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. Treaty is about ensuring First Peoples have a say over the policies that impact them and their families. Treaty is an opportunity for all of us to come to grips with the history we share – and create a better, fairer society for all Victorians.
The Statewide Treaty Act 2025 passed the Victorian Parliament in October 2025 and the Statewide Treaty commenced following a ceremonial exchange between the Victorian Government and the First Peoples’ Assembly on 12 December 2025. These milestones marked a historic step in Victoria’s Treaty journey and laid the foundation for a renewed relationship between First Peoples and the State – one built on respect, trust and integrity.
To support the important, ongoing work of truth-telling, Treaty and Closing the Gap, we are extending the VAAF to June 2028.
To date, Victoria has shown progress in some areas, but we are falling short in others. There is much more work to do and we are unequivocally committed to achieving better outcomes. When Aboriginal Victorians thrive, we’re all the stronger for it.
Partnership with Aboriginal communities is essential to fulfil the promises we made in the VAAF. With our ministerial colleagues we are committed to working with Aboriginal Victorians to deliver on the commitments in the VAAF for a stronger, fairer Victoria.
We look forward to continuing to work with – and be held accountable by – Aboriginal Victorians to deliver on our commitments to self-determination and achieve real action and change on our journey to Treaty and beyond.
The Hon Ben Carroll MP
Premier of Victoria
Gabrielle Williams MP
Minister for First Peoples
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